“I was embarrassed to be in the room with somebody talking like that.”

Houston, TX—Shelley Sekula-Gibbs outraged several Houston City Council Members Wednesday afternoon as she tried to use time meant for remarks on a slain police officer’s funeral to continue her 180 degree turn on Houston’s so-called “sanctuary policy” for illegal immigrants.

“Shelley Sekula-Gibbs is a long-standing supporter of the sanctuary policy for illegal immigrants,” said Nick Lampson.  “She’s tried to change her position over the past couple of months and back away from her liberal stance on immigration.  But it doesn’t work that way.  She has always supported what she calls ‘sanctuary’ policies, and it’s classless for her to try and use the funeral of a police officer to pull the wool over the eyes of voters.”

During the comments period of yesterday’s City Council meeting, Council Members took turns speaking about the bravery and dedication of Houston Police Officer Rodney Johnson.  When it came time for Shelley Sekula-Gibbs to speak, she outraged fellow council members, both Republican and Democrat, by using this time as an opportunity to attack an immigration policy that she, herself, has always supported. 

Eight City Council Members walked out on the session until her comments were finished.  Houston Mayor Bill White called her comments, “disrespectful.”  Republican Councilwoman Toni Lawrence said, “I was embarrassed to be in the room with somebody talking like that.”  Lawrence was one of the first to leave.  Councilman Ronald Green told Sekula-Gibbs, “You wouldn't stoop so low to use this man's memory to advance a political career that may or may not be going anywhere.”

At yesterday’s City Council meeting, Shelley Sekula-Gibbs said, “I hope that you will use this opportunity to make this change that has been needed for many, many years.” [Houston Chronicle September 28, 2006]  But as recently as November 2005, then-Councilman Mark Ellis, was seeking the GOP nomination for a state Senate seat and attempted to force a council vote on changing this very policy.  At the time, Sekula-Gibbs called Ellis’ proposal “a political stunt”.  According to the Houston Chronicle, “Sekula-Gibbs said it would be impossible to verify someone’s immigration status before, for example, putting out a fire.” [Houston Chronicle June 21, 2006]

Prior to being a candidate for Congress, Sekula-Gibbs also told the Chronicle that she had “no strong opinion” about changing Houston’s immigration policies. 

And in June 2006, the Houston Chronicle reported that The Metropolitan Organization said that Shelley Sekula-Gibbs pledged to them that she would maintain the city’s current policy on dealing with illegal immigrants.  When the Chronicle pushed her on this group’s claim Sekula-Gibbs, “declined to discuss the pledge specifically.” [Houston Chronicle June 24, 2006]

“I do not think any city should be a sanctuary for illegal immigrants,” Lampson continued.  “We must end the ‘catch and release policy’ when illegal immigrants are captured in any city.  But Congress needs to take the lead.  There are not enough immigration judges in Texas or holding cells so that police don’t have to set illegal immigrants free to make room for violent criminals.  Congress needs to step up to the plate to solve this problem and for someone who wants to be in Congress to blame the Mayor or the Chief of Police is just passing the buck.  And using comments meant for a solemn occasion to score political points is just plain wrong.”